Apr 19 Funds: Community embarks on a $1.2 million fund-raising drive for the Indian Centre in Christchurch

(caption for the above picture: The trustees of the Canterbury Indian Community Centre Trust)

The recently incorporated Canterbury Indian Community Centre Trust (CICCT) has started raising funds to make the dream of an Indian community centre in Christchurch a reality in the next two years. The Trust hit the ball rolling on April 8 in a specially organised ghazal and old Hindi melodious songs night, where the attendees were introduced to the objectives of CICCT by Ponnuram Venu Gopal, one of the its trustees.

“The Indian Community Centre will be a place of Indian identity, where we can host community events; family functions; as well as language, arts and music classes. Our organisation is non-religious and non-regional, and has come into existence solely for making the Indian community centre a reality,” he added.

CICCT has estimated that the Centre will cost almost $1.2 million. It is also envisaged to provide sports facilities, as well as host a library on Indian culture and history, and a small museum depicting the journey of Indians in the South Island.

Rajiv Gulati, another trustee, who also launched the organisation's website [cicc.org.nz] on this occasion, and introduced all the 13 trustees to the wider community, added, “Anyone who wants to help can make monthly contributions, and spread awareness about this initiative. We will also be organising special events similar to today's song night, as well as garage sales, to raise funds for this initiative.”